Sea Dogs take down Screaming Eagles 4-1
Published on December 9, 2007 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, NB --- The Saint John Sea Dogs moved to within a single point of first place in the QMJHL East on Sunday afternoon, beating the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles by a score of 4-1 at Harbour Station to earn their team record 44th and 45th points of the season.
Sunday's victory gives the Sea Dogs 21 wins on the season, a mark which also sets a new franchise record just 33 games into the 2007-08 campaign.
After skating to a 1-1 tie over the course of the opening thirty minutes of play, the Sea Dogs' offence exploded for three goals in 2:13 of action in the second period to seize control of the match in a most unsubtle manner. Neither team was able to add to their respective goal totals in the closing frame, and the match ended with Saint John having earned a 4-1 victory in their home arena, evening their season series with Cape Breton 2-2 in the process.
Rookie goaltender Robert Mayer turned in a stellar performance between the pipes for Saint John on Sunday, stopping 33 of the 34 shots sent his way to earn his ninth win of the season in his final match before journeying to the Czech Republic to take part in the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championships as a member of Team Switzerland.
Offensively, Saint John was led by Mike Thomas, who contributed 2G-1A-3P on the afternoon to warrant a First Star of the Game selection. Francois Gauthier and Scott Howes also contributed goals to the Sea Dogs' cause on Sunday, while New Brunswick native Jordan Clendenning tallied the lone marker for the Screaming Eagles.
"This was a big victory for us," said Assistant Coach Jim Midgley following the impressive home effort. "We've had a lot of injuries lately, and some players we needed to step up did exactly that this afternoon and we were able to pick up the win as a result."
After dominating most of the opening frame (12 of the game's first 15 shots on goal came off the sticks of Sea Dogs players), Saint John finally got on the scoreboard on Sunday when Mike Thomas netted his fourth goal of the season on a rocket of a wrist shot from close range. Both Philip Richer and Port City native Andrew Langan earned assists on the play, giving the rookies their first career QMJHL points as the Sea Dogs took a 1-0 lead 13:09 into the first period.
Robert Mayer's workload was relatively light during the opening twenty minutes of play; the import net minder needed to make only six saves to preserve his team's one-goal advantage as the first intermission got underway.
Cape Breton then drew even 2:11 into the second period, with Jordan Clendenning firing a loose puck to the back of the Saint John net following a lengthy scramble immediately in front of Mayer's goal crease.
Scott Howes gave the home team a 2-1 lead 9:24 later, utilizing his impressive stick handling skills deep in Screaming Eagles territory prior to roofing a backhand over Roy's right shoulder to earn his 18th goal of the season. The 20-year old then earned an assist on a goal by Mike Thomas just 0:52 later, as another hard wrist shot by #17 bulged the twine behind starting Cape Breton net minder Oliver Roy.
The second period assault continued for Saint John, as Francois Gauthier scored a breakaway goal with 6:17 remaining in the middle frame, resultantly bringing an end to Roy's afternoon with a low backhand that eluded the rookie net minder en route to the back of the net. Marek Benda took over goaltending duties for Cape Breton following Gauthier's tally, stopping the lone shot sent his way in the final moments of the second period as Sunday's contest reached the forty minute mark with the Sea Dogs leading 4-1.
Saint John was out-shot badly (17-3) over the course of the third period, but some truly impressive goaltending from Mayer resulted in the Sea Dogs emerging victorious by a margin of three goals, improving their record to 21-9-1-2 as a result.
Up next for Saint John is a Friday night tilt with Halifax at Harbour Station. The action gets underway at 7:30pm as the Sea Dogs seek to even their season series with the Mooseheads two-games apiece.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2007
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- Sea Dogs take down Screaming Eagles 4-1 - Saint John Sea Dogs
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